The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1887-01-27
a Gamblers Nerve,

The career of Charles Foulk, alias
Charles Watson, the gentleman gambler
who was shot and killed at Hot Springs
by q negro policeman short time ago,
was an eyentful one. He was tall and
handsome, cool as an icicle, dressed in
exquisite taste, and his manner and con.
versation were every inch the elegant,
refined gentleman. His friends never
wcaried of lauding his bravery and.his
enemies did not gainsay them. Some
years ago soldier was found with bull
let iu his heart on a bridge near Carlisle.
He was of ofgamblipg propensities and an
avowed enemy of Foulk. The latter with
another gambler was charged with the
crime and placed ON trial. The men
were given separate trials and Foulk was
tried first and acquitted on an uudoubted
alibi.
The evidence in. the trial of Foulk's
supposed accomplice was damaging to
the prisoner at the bar. One lady, who
lived near the scene of the shooting,
identified the prisoner and swore that
she heard pistol shot, ran to the door
and saw him running hatless from the
scene of the murder. She was certain
that it was the accused man, because
there was lighted gas clamp near her
door which enabled her to get o good
view of his features. Other evidence
equally strong was introduced by the
State and conviction seemed assured.
When the defense opened no one be-
lieved that The case made by the State
could be shaken. Foulk was the first
witness for the defens.., and as it was
known that be was to testify, the court
room was crowded to suffocation. AS he
was swcrn and took the stand there was
perfect quiet.
AS Foulk took his seat on the witness
stand he turned to the stern, gray.haired
Judge, and in clear, calm voice that
could be heard in every part of the room,
said: "Judge, before I testify in this
case want to ask you question. Can
I ever be tried again for the killing of
that soldier?"
For moment the silence was almost
painful. The venerable judge seemed to
have guessed what was coming. He re.
Piled in solemn, severe tones that were
rendered the more impressive by the
deathly stiffness:
$50 far as human law is concerned,
Mr.. Foulk, you are free man. No
earthly tribunal can try you again"
Foulk was the only person in the room
who was not affected. AS coolly as if
talking to circle Of friends he replied !:
"Thank you Judge; you are man of
honor, and know the law, and believe
you. 1 wish to solcmnly swear, then,
that killed that soldier. You have ac-
Quilted the wrong mao"
The effect of this cool, deliberate state.
mert, made in voice that never trem'
b!ed and could be heard by every one in
the court room, may be imagined. At
once the silence was broken by exclama-
tions of surprise and indignation, which,
however, were quickly suppressed by the
Judge. Then, as cotliy as he had made
the confession, Foulk told the story of the
murder. He said that as he was crossing
the bridge he met the soldier going in an
opposite direction. They were old ene-
mics and had recently had quarrel over
the green cloth. Foulk said that as soon
as The soldier saw him he drew bis sabre
and started for him. "Not wishing to
kill him." Foulk continued, 81 drew a
little old.fashioned pepper-box revolver
and shot at him four times, but as be still
kept coming at me I jumped off the
bridge, drew my forty FIVE and killed him.
I did it in self: defense. If l had not
killed him he would have killed me"
The evidence of the lady who swore
that she saw the prisoner at the bar rum
ming hatless past her door was easily ex'
plniped and furnished another instance
of Foulk's wonderful nerve. When he
Jumped off the bridge his hat fell off and
Aoated down the stream. When the
soldier fell Foulk ran up the street, but
! did a;a not see the lady standing at the door
When he had gene q little way he
remembered that his name was written in
hin hat, and that if WAS found it would
be used as evidence against hin. Wait
ing for moment, and, seeing that no one
had been attracted by the shots, he delib'
erately returned to the scene of the shoot
ing, waded down the stream, found his hat
and went uptown through an alley. That
was nerve. The lady was honest in hel
testimony, but she was simply mistaken,
as was anerward proved conclusively.
Of course, the defendant was discharged.
Foulk's story of the killing was afterward
proved 10 be exactly correct.-Ransas
City Times.
L